The Kenaitze Indian Tribe is a federally recognized tribe with nearly 1600 members spanning the Central Kenai Peninsula. Also known as the Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina or the Dena’ina People of the Kenai River, they have lived on the Kenai Peninsula for thousands of years.
Now, the tribe manages healthcare, social services, justice, education and employment programs.
Most recently, the tribe debuted its new Dena’ina Wellness Center in Old Town Kenai. The building is an architectural marvel with a high level of sustainability and recycled materials built into its structure.
A good way to familiarize yourself with the tribe is through the K’beq interpretive site in Cooper Landing. Located at Milepost 52.6, has a parking area, outhouse, information center and gift shop. The Kenaitze Indian tribe partners with the Chugach National Forest to preserve, protect and provide interpretation for this location at the K’Beq “footprints” interpretive site.
Tribal members share traditions, culture with visitors through interpretive walks that feature an archaeological site and interpretive signs. They teach traditional plant use from June through September at the site.
